It’s been a week since John Paul’s birthday, and what better way to celebrate than enjoying his Christmas present? Yes, reader, you’ve read correctly: for Christmas, I got JP tickets to see his all-time favourite comedian, Dara O’Briain, in Vicar Street. It’s been JP’s ambition to see the man himself live since those poverty-filled weekends of 2008, when we couldn’t afford to go out and we sat in watching Dara O’Briain’s comedy DVD on repeat. Almost a fortnight ago, on Friday 28 February, we crossed that from our bucket lists, marking both our first time to see the comedian live, and my first time in Vicar Street.

Now, I’d never been to Vicar Street before, but was delighted to find a limited number of accessible tickets online (If you’re a wheelchair user, I suggest booking early to avoid disappointment). We travelled from Tullamore to Dublin via train, and I prebooked a wheelchair accessible taxi in advance on the FreeNow app, an act that felt like a game of Russian roulette. I will say that although I booked the taxi on the Tuesday, four days beforehand, my driver and vehicle was only confirmed a few minutes before arrival, and as the driver hadn’t specified where to meet, we had a fun impromptu game of Find the Taxi Driver. Nonetheless, he was very helpful and I marvelled at how easy the process was. Booking an accessible taxi in an urban (not city) area can be impossible, even with all the advance notice in the world. And if you use the FreeNow app, the fare can be deducted from your debit/credit card, meaning no fumbling with wallets as you are getting out of the taxi.

When I initially booked the StayCity Aparthotel, I was wary despite the high ratings left by previous guests. The StayCity is located around the corner from Vicar Street, which is crucial if, like me, you happen to be directionally challenged. I was expecting a basic hostel setup, and in many ways, it is basic; there are no frills. However, it was exactly what we needed. The accessible apartment was spacious yet cosy, with a wooden floor in the bedroom-cum-kitchenette and non-slip tiles in the roomy ensuite. The bed was at a comfortable height for a wheelchair user to transfer onto, unlike some other hotel beds that I’ve found to be too high. The bathroom was well equipped with plenty of handrails (blue for contrast of colour), two emergency cords (one beside the toilet, the other in the shower), and a good-sized sink with a long mirror and space for the wheelchair underneath. 

Having freshened up, it was time for the gig itself. Vicar Street is known as the perfect venue for comedy shows. We entered Vicar Street via the back entrance, where the staff were helpful and courteous. The bar area, which is right in front of the theatre entrance, is laid back and intimate also. While I loved this aspect of it, it fell on JP to order drinks as the bar is quite high.  The room itself was slightly bigger than I expected, but tables are quite close together, creating that feel of togetherness and comraderie among the crowd. I should at this point mention that, as far as I could make out, there are only four tables in the entire room suitable for wheelchair users, and each table is located in a corner of the room. This would have an impact on how many wheelchair users could attend any one gig. However, the atmosphere was cosy, with everyone giddy to see the show. 

Finally, when Dara took to the stage, suffice to say he didn’t disappoint. He is a fascinating mix of experienced seanchaí, dramatic actor and that neighbour you’ve said “good morning” to as long as you can remember. He’s quick-witted and razor-sharp, baiting and successfully reeling in front-row audience members into his quirky anecdotes. However, Dara’s set is far from a series of gimmicky stories. Like any great writer/entertainer, he bares his naked soul to the audience as he relates, in an honest and touching way, the whirlwind journey behind his search for his birth parents. We, the audience, experienced that journey with him, the dizzying highs and the crushing blows. Dara allowed us into his heart in the same way that everyone watching that night welcomed him into ours.  

In a turbulent world riddled with uncertainty, comedy is more important than ever before. I wanted to share this piece with you, as a wheelchair user who’d always assumed that attending a Vicar Street gig would be too awkward. I would highly recommend staying in the StayCity Aparthotel and reserving the accessible room (we paid €140 for bed and breakfast, where we would have been stung for €200+ elsewhere). The combination of decent, affordable accommodation, with its location near Vicar Street, made for an enjoyable, relaxing evening.